SASKATOON, Saskatchewan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An exciting program is in place for the Agricultural Biotechnology
International Conference (ABIC 2014) from October 5–8 at TCU Place in
Saskatoon, SK, hosted by Ag-West Bio.

This year’s program brings 44 high-calibre speakers from around the
world to Saskatoon.

Topics at ABIC 2014 are diverse, ranging from regulations to emerging
technologies, including presentations by researchers working on novel
innovations such as 3-D printing of food and genetically modified
mosquitoes that combat dengue fever.

The 15 keynote presentations by world-renowned bioscience experts
include Ingo Potrykus, inventor of vitamin A enhanced Golden Rice; Nina
Fedoroff, past president of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS); Roger Beachy, founding CEO of Saskatoon’s Global
Institute for Food Security and current Executive Director of the World
Food Center at University of California, Davis.

Canadian speakers include award-winning pulse breeder Albert Vandenberg;
Andrew Potter, Director of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease
Organization-International Vaccine Centre; Robert Lamb, the new CEO of
the Canadian Light Source; and Howard Wheater, Director of the Global
institute for Water Security.

Each of the four days of ABIC 2014 will focus on a different theme:
Global Challenges and Issues related to Agricultural Productivity;
Innovation for Global Food Security; Strategies for Agriculture
Innovation; and Leadership for Successful Innovation.

Wilf Keller, Chair of the ABIC Foundation and Ag-West Bio’s President
and CEO, says, “The ABIC 2014 themes were chosen to reflect the most
prevalent questions within the industry, such as, how can the
biosciences mitigate some of the predicted challenges?" He adds that
science will play a greater role than ever in creating solutions as
climate change creates unstable weather patterns and the global
population continues to grow.

About ABIC:ABIC™ is the leading international
agricultural organization focused on the use of science and technology
to address issues of agricultural productivity, quality and
sustainability. ABIC encompasses these areas of strategic focus:
Connecting People, Building Capacity, Enabling Progress by Promoting
Commercialization of beneficial technologies, and Discussing Advances in
Science and Technology Progress. ABIC is based in Saskatoon, and has
attained a global reach through its international conference series.

About Ag-West Bio:Ag-West Bio is a membership-based
organization located at Innovation Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The
company works as a catalyst for developing partnerships and industry
growth in the bio-economy through investments, aiding strategic
alliances, and providing business planning support, regulatory advice
and communications. Funding for Ag-West Bio is provided by Saskatchewan
Ministry of Agriculture and Growing Forward, and Western Economic
Diversification Canada. For more information, please visit the website: www.agwest.sk.ca.